Maiden rail shipment of bitumen launched from Azarbaijan to Europe
Iran has begun a trial rail shipment of 500 tons of bitumen destined for Europe from its Azarbaijan region, marking the first time the cargo has been dispatched via railway from the area, according to Alireza Soleimani, director-general of the Azarbaijan Region Railway.
Loading of the cargo began at Shahid Salimi City Station, Soleimani said. If the trial proves successful and following cost assessments, the first phase will see 5,000 tons of bitumen exported to European countries from the station, with a second phase adding another 5,000 tons, he said, Mehr news agency reported.
Soleimani also announced the export of 1,200 tons of polystyrene from Sahlan Station to Bulgaria. "According to the planning, the export of a total of 5,000 tons of polystyrene to Europe is targeted over the next three months," he said.
The senior official cited the expansion of railway branch lines and the activation of station capacities in the region as key factors in facilitating exports and reducing transportation costs.